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Seeking relatively low-risk, high-reward gambles to infuse star power — or at least, solid contributor power — to his roster, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey wagered on a sizable chunk of the 2009 draft lottery.

The extent of his gamble, however, could end Wednesday, with the Rockets unlikely to pick up the fourth-year option on their four lottery picks in their third seasons.

Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, Jordan Hill and Terrence Williams were among the top 11 picks of that draft and were acquired by the Rockets in the seasons that followed. Only Hill is in the Rockets’ rotation.

With Wednesday the deadline for the Rockets to pick up the contract options for the 2012-13 season, they will allow Williams, Thabeet and Flynn to become free agents next summer and are still weighing whether to keep Hill under contract for another season.

In the previous 12 seasons of the existing system for rookie contracts, the Rockets have picked up the fourth-season option on every first-round pick on their roster.

The Rockets also face a Wednesday deadline to agree to a contract extension for fourth-year guard Courtney Lee, but the sides are far apart. The Rockets are more likely to allow Lee to become a restricted free agent next summer.

Hill is by far the most likely to remain under contract for next season. He began the season as the Rockets’ starting center and has remained in the rotation despite some wildly inconsistent production. The eighth player selected in the 2009 draft, Hill was acquired from the Knicks in the Tracy McGrady deal. His contract would be worth $3.63 million next season.

“To this point, we haven’t heard whether they will pick up the option,” said Hill’s agent, Kevin Bradbury. “They wait until the very last day all the time on these things. I don’t see why a guy performing like Jordan has wouldn’t have his option picked up.”

Create an ignore list. I know it may seem unneighborly. But you're here to talk about the Pacers, not argue with someone who's just looking for an argument. Most of the regular users on here make use (at least occasionally) of the "Ignore" feature. Just go to "Settings" -> "Edit Ignore List" and add the names.

I'd go after Jordan Hill. He is an extremely athletic big. He would fill in some backup center minutes for us. I just don't know what the kid's personality is like. I think he is a player that would learn alot from a guy like David West. I would definitely take a flier on such an athletic big. I would be on the phone right now offering our second rounder and cap space for the guy. He would be easy to cut if he is a jerk.

"Your course, your path, is not going to be like mine," West says. "Everybody is not called to be a multimillionaire. Everybody's not called to be the president. Whatever your best work is, you do it. Do it well. … You cease your own greatness when you aspire to be someone else."

Has a greater collection of lottery busts from a single draft ever been assembled on one team? It's a shame they were never able to complete the team by picking up Earl Clark.

Anyway, I think Terrence Williams is the only one who isn't in the NBA next year. Flynn and Hill can make it as backups, and there's no way every GM in the league has given up on Thabeet. If DeSagana Diop can last a decade, there's no reason Thabeet can't, too.

On the other hand, Williams not only has sucked, he has a questionable to boot. I thought he had the physical gifts and point forward skills to be another Andre Iguodala, but I guess I thought wrong.

Would totally take a flyer on Jordan Hill if he could be had for reasonably cheap. He could be a viable backup Center/PF option, very athletic too. I love our front court, but it still lacks elite athleticism.

"As a bearded man, i was very disappointed in Love. I am gathering other bearded men to discuss the status of Kevin Love's beard. I am motioning that it must be shaved."

I would take a pass on them at this point. I think we are good and don't need the additional player on the roster right now if we can pick someone with a little higher quality with a deadline trade. I really liked Flynn at the time when he was drafted but I haven't seen or heard anything since then.

I would take Thabeet as a third string center. His length and height could help Hibbert to get even better on offense. I would be fine with Hill too, but I wouldn't take any of them expecting them to be rotational players. I would only take them to be the 3 players in suits who bring something to the practice court that might help the others to become better players. Although it would be nice to see Thabeet turn into a good back-up C if he became a Pacer.